The Week Begins!

It was a good beginning to the week! Many of us were excited about the beautiful weather, especially temperatures in the 70s yesterday, and the time change that will give us longer daylight. Jacob had particularly sore legs from riding his bike all day yesterday. It will be great when spring finally arrives. Spring is a busy time here at C.I.S.! Fifth graders began their P.S.S.A. Writing tests today, we have special team spirit days lined up, our school musical called Heroes All will be performed on the 21st, and believe it or not...our 3rd nine week period will be ending just before spring break. Language Arts groups spent time in the computer lab typing final drafts of our convincing persuasive essays. We will post them in the hall to see if we can persuade others to believe as we do about various topics. Stop by and check them out if you visit C.I.S.! During P.S.S.A. prep, we worked on tips to help us determine an author's purpose for writing. Our third benchmark test is coming next week, so we're reviewing skills we've seen earlier in the year. Homework: Reading - Finish the novel, your final guided reading questions, vocabulary puzzle and role for Thursday's cafe. It will be exciting to see how the story ends. Social Studies - Study your resources study guide and map of southern European countries. Quiz on Friday. Wellness - Brain papers are due on Monday of next week. Long-term - Complete the questions assigned in your Buckle Down book for P.S.S.A. prep. They are due next Monday.

Technology Education with Ms. Carroll

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Today, we worked hard revising and editing our persuasive essays.  The students met with me one-on-one throughout Language Arts to make improvements.   Since today is Thursday, the students attend related arts classes in the afternoon.  I thought I'd share a bit of what they were working on in Technology.  

Homework:
Math - Shamrock w.s.
Reading - Be ready for tomorrow's cafe!  It was postponed due to our snow day yesterday.
Social Studies - Be prepared to present your Travel Journal project tomorrow.  Also, study your study guide for resources as well as the southern countries of Europe.

Ms. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - Comprehension, writing activity & spelling 3X each.  2 wkbk pages - group 2 only
Math - X worksheet (both groups).

Learning About Europe

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Europe/Eur_GL_1024_768.html

The link above will help the students practice the location of the various European countries.  By clicking on the countries, you'll hear them pronounced and shown on the map.  Although we've colored the various regions on a map in class, and the students have been tested on two of the regions, this will help with practice!  So, just click on the link above!

Homework:
Math - Wyoming w.s.
Reading - Read chapters 9 and 10 and complete work for cafe.
Soc. Studies - Study for Southern European countries test.
Long Term - Travel Journal due March 7th
Tech. Ed. - Homework due Thursday

Mrs. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - ABC order, group 2 only and 2 wk.bk pgs.
Math - X worksheet (both groups) 1 & 2

Oh, the Drama!

 In Language Arts today, students took part in a dramatic reading by playing the various characters in Elizabeth Blackwell: Medical Pioneer, a play written by Joanna Halpert Kraus.  The play was rather long, but students enjoyed trying to change their voices to suit the characters.  Elizabeth was the first woman doctor.

 We spent a bit more time in drafting our persuasive essays today.  The five paragraphs are due tomorrow, and students are to follow the format provided in class.  We will peer edit in class, and I will take the essays for a final check before we type our final copies.  Everyone will get a chance to present and try to convince others to believe as they do. 

The Western European countries were identified on a map today in a brief quiz.  The students also colored the Southern countries and worked more on completing their travel journal project, which is due on Thursday.  They have found some interesting information that will be fun to share. 

We have been preparing for our third benchmark test in Reading and Math.  During today's prep, students worked on Geometry/Angles in Math and Poetry interpretation in Reading. 

Homework:
Math - worksheet
Reading - Read chapters 9 & 10 in The Upstairs Room, complete your crossword, guided reading questions, and role for this Thursday.
Writing - Your persuasive draft is due tomorrow.
Social Studies - Travel Journal due on Thursday.  Group 310, quiz tomorrow.
Wellness - D.A.R.E. work is due tomorrow.
Tech. Ed. - Homework due on Thursday.

Mrs. Friday's Group:
Spelling - Stairstep 2 wkbk pgs. (group 2 only)
Math - X worksheet (both groups 1 & 2)

Penguin School Spirit Day

MacKenzie wore a great hat for Penguin Day!  This is what she looked like taking her Language Arts test.

There were many students and teachers supporting our Pens today by wearing Penguin shirts and gear.  Mr. Tatum looked like he was ready for the ice! 

Officer Strain talks with the students and presents his first lesson.

 Group 308 was able to meet with Officer Strain for their introduction to D.A.R.E.  Officer Strain introduced himself and shared a little about what the students would be learning about drugs and alcohol and making choices.  Erica volunteered to create the question box for our classroom.  The students were given their first assignment in their new books.  The assignments will count as part of their Wellness grades. 

In Social Studies, the students are learning about the geography of Europe and Russia.  Today, each received a Travel Journal that they will create based on information they will learn about an assigned country.  The students went to the lab to use Culture Grams and other programs to locate interesting information for their journal.  They will be including their country's flag, map, physical features, climate, landmarks, foods, tourist attractions, etc.  Their research will also help them to use their creativity as they imagine a day in the country and write in a journal about all that they did and saw.  Finally, they will have a chance to share what they learned with their classmates.

Our novel, The Upstairs Room, has become quite interesting!  We have been a bit on edge about Annie, Sini, and Rachel, as well as the brave families who are helping them to hide while the war rages on.  This week, our assignments are focused on the reading of chapters 7 and 8. 

Have a great weekend! 

Homework:
Reading - Read and complete all activities for Chapters 7-8 for 2/28.
Writing - Be ready to write on Monday.  Have your topic.
Science - Element poster due March 1st, and periodic table due on Tuesday.
Wellness - D.A.R.E. assignment due on Tuesday to Mrs. Doman
Long-term Assignment - Travel Journal due on 3/7
SHARE FRIDAY FOLDER WITH YOUR PARENTS.

Thank you, Mr. Bluemling!

We are smiling because our blog is back!  A special thanks goes out to Mr. Tyler Bluemling for getting us back on track!  You're the best, Mr. Bluemling!

We have had quite a busy day today!  The D.A.R.E. program began, and C.I.S.P.O. brought us a special program called The All American Liberty Brass, a Gateway to the Arts Program.  In addition, Mr. Gasper was trying to fit in his practices with the members of the band.  Group 308 had double related arts today, both Library and Technology.  For this reason, our group's D.A.R.E. kickoff will be tomorrow.

Thank you to C.I.S.P.O. for bringing the entertaining program!

Homework:
Math - W.S. in packet
Reading - Read chapters 7 & 8 in The Upstairs Room, complete your role and questions, as well as vocabulary puzzle for next Thursday.  There will be a quiz on Saving the Sound tomorrow.
Spelling - Complete the exercises on pages 38-39 in your spelling practice book.
Writing - Pick your topic for your persuasive essay.  Be ready to write!
Science - Element poster is due March 1st.
Wellness - Toothpaste design is due tomorrow.
Long-Term - Travel Journal is due on March 7th.

Ms. Friday's Assignments:
Spelling - Writing assignment, 3Xeach/study, 2 wk.bk pages - group 2 only
Math - Division w.s. - group 1, and X w.s. - group 2

Blogging Has Stopped Temporarily

To all who follow the blog: 

Our e-mail system is changing, and this has led to changes for this blog.  I am finding out what needs to be done to be able to continue my communication with you.  Thank you for your patience!